The purpose of this course is to examine social and cultural ramifications sports have imposed on American life. In other words, this course will use the issue of “sport” in American society as a lens, through which to examine the broader context of American history. This approach will allow us to analyze sport and its relationship to politics, the economy, gender, race relations, culture, social classes, as well as American foreign policy. The content of the course will include a combination of lectures, discussions, readings and documentary films.